Careers and Enterprise Company Mentoring

In January 2016, the government announced the launch of a national mentoring campaign that will connect a new generation of mentors to pre-GCSE teens at risk of disengaging and under-performing. The Careers and Enterprise Company were asked to provide a coordinating role in this important mission. Connect Education and Business are delighted to have been successful in playing an important role in this important mission, joining the dots between employers and young people.

What are the benefits of mentoring?

Evidence shows that providing mentor support to young people at risk of disengagement can help to "level the playing field". It can also support social mobility and improve life chances.

The Careers and Enterprise Company are committed to growing the number of high-quality, employer-led mentoring relationships across England ensuring that each year 25,000 young people at risk of disengagement in the run-up to their GCSEs have a mentor in place by 2020.

What is Mentoring?

"Mentoring is to support and encourage people to maximise their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be."

Mentoring is a powerful personal development tool. It is an effective way of helping people to progress in their lives. It is a helpful partnership between two people (mentor and mentee) based upon mutual trust and respect. Mentoring is person focused. Connect Education and Business provide guidelines and training for our mentors and mentees, but the issues discussed will vary depending upon each mentee and their circumstances and challenges.

Mentoring is:

· Confidential - Issues between mentor and mentee are confidential.

· Mentee driven - The mentee is expected and encouraged to take the initiative and set the goals in the relationship. The final responsibility for actions taken, as a result of mentoring, lies with the mentee.

We aim to connect young people with independent mentors who can offer advice and guidance about the issues important to them. Mentoring allows the mentee to explore new ideas in confidence.

What is a Mentor?

A mentor is someone who can help the mentee to find the right direction and develop solutions. Mentoring provides the mentee with an opportunity to think about themselves and progress in life.

A mentor should help the mentee:

· Build confidence

· Ask questions

· Provide guidance and encouragement

· Reach their potential

Connect Education and Business offers schools, business and community organisations the opportunity to volunteer in:

· face to face mentoring – a personal, one to one, relationship between mentor and mentee

Are you ready to be a mentor?

Mentoring provides development opportunities for mentors as well as great personal satisfaction. Being a mentor can improve your skills. It can be challenging, inspiring and rewarding.

No prior knowledge of mentoring is required however all Mentors are required to attend a mentoring induction workshop. This is free and covers all you need to know to start mentoring a young person, including an introduction to safeguarding. All mentors are expected to complete a Disclosure Barring Service enhanced check to ensure they are safe to work with young people and vulnerable adults.

The recruitment of good mentors is key to success.

· Are you willing to help young people be successful?

· Are you prepared to invest time and effort?

· Are you a good listener and able to encourage others?

· Are you interested in challenging and helping someone to reach further?

· Are you willing to share your personal knowledge and experiences?

· Can you keep matters confidential?

A good mentor will want to ensure that the mentee gains confidence and independence as a result of mentoring and is eventually able to go forward independently.

Mentors are volunteers. Mentors may support one or more mentee at a time with a commitment of 4 face to face sessions over a minimum 6 month period.